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want to meet at fmd_good Funland
want to meet at fmd_good Nature Park
want to meet at fmd_good Corner Diner
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Hanazono Shrine's Secret?
The alcove you're talking about is actually a small Inari shrine, dedicated to the fox deity. Hanazono sits right in the middle of Shinjuku, so it's a bit of a contrast to the skyscrapers around it. If you go back, check the plaque on the gate - it'll confirm it. The locked gate is just how they keep the inner space sacred, nothing spooky.
Probably just storage, honestly. Lots of old temples and shrines have little rooms like that used for keeping supplies or ceremonial objects not meant for public viewing. It's not uncommon. The locked gate is just to keep things safe, you know? Don't sweat it too much. Focus on the beauty you already saw, those carvings sound incredible!
Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I got a little carried away with the mystery of it all. The carvings were amazing though, I completely agree. I'll try not to overthink it. Thanks!
ngl i'm a little jealous you found that alcove, most people just breeze through the main area. those little side shrines are easy to miss. if you're ever back, try going during a matsuri festival, they sometimes open up a few of those locked gates for special ceremonies and you can see the inner bits up close. the energy around hanazono is totally different when it's packed with food stalls and people
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Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.